E1344 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 26, 2012 

wishes to all these great athletes on their journey in competing in the 2012 London Olympics. 

I extend my best wishes for all around success in the upcoming London 2012 Olympics 

as their hard work, dedication, and perseverance is put to the test! 

Go U.S.A. 

f 

HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PINCHOT INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION 

HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY 

OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, 

I rise today to honor the Pinchot Institute for 

Conservation, which is celebrating its fiftieth 

anniversary next year. The Pinchot Institute 

carries on the legacy of Connecticut native 

son Gifford Pinchot, whose unique and reasoned approach to conservation endures as 

we face a new era of environmental challenges. 

Born in Simsbury, Pinchot grew up inspired 

by childhood summers spent enjoying his 

hometown’s natural beauty. Committed to forestry and preservation from an early age, Pinchot went on to found the Forestry School, the 

first of its kind, at Yale, his alma mater. He 

helped to establish the United States Forest 

Service, serving as its first Chief in 1905. Pinchot recognized the need to protect our natural heritage at a time of development unprecedented in our nation’s history. Throughout his 

long career in public service, he was instrumental in raising the profile of the conservation movement to the national stage. 

Pinchot’s philosophy of ‘‘practical idealism’’ 

lives on in practice at Yale, at the Forest Service, and at the Pinchot Institute. Dedicated by 

President Kennedy in 1963, the Pinchot Institute works to balance the sustainable use of 

our natural resources with a commitment to 

preservation for future generations. The Pinchot Institute collaborates with organizations 

around the country and the world to develop 

non-partisan, innovative, and well-researched 

solutions to conservation problems. The Institute recognizes the role that sustainable forests can play in the health of our nation’s 

communities, water resources, and wildlife. 

The need for conservation also resonates 

with me on a personal level. I began my career in public service with a call to action 

against the destruction of wetlands in Southington, and I remain committed to the principles of environmental stewardship. Our public lands and fragile resources are preserved 

and maintained for more Americans than ever 

before due to the tireless efforts of organizations like the Pinchot Institute. 

In recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of 

the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, I ask 

my colleagues to join me in honoring an organization at the forefront of its field. 

HONORING THE COURAGE AND 

SELFLESS SERVICE OF CORPORAL DANIEL PALMER OF MILTON, FLORIDA 

HON. JEFF MILLER OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is 

with profound gratitude and sincere respect 

that I rise to pay tribute to the courage and 

selfless service of Marine Corporal Daniel 

Palmer of Milton, Florida. In 2010, then Lance 

Corporal Palmer was severely wounded on 

patrol in Afghanistan, while assigned to Third 

Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment, Lima Company. After spending the last year in rehabilitation at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, I am 

happy to say that on July 27, Northwest Florida will finally be able to welcome home their 

native son and an American hero. 

Cpl Palmer is a 2004 graduate of Central 

High School in Allentown, Florida. While working at his family’s masonry business in 2008 

at the age of 22, he surprised his parents, 

Joey and Flora Jean Palmer, with his decision 

to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Cpl Palmer 

chose the Marine Corps because of its reputation for toughness and pride. Cpl Palmer’s 

older brother, Scott, says Daniel has always 

been energetic and competitive and was 

proud of his decision to join the Marine Corps 

from day one. 

On March 20, 2010, LCpl Palmer was leading a team of Marines on patrol when he 

stepped on a concealed improvised explosive 

device. Although he was severely wounded by 

the blast and shrapnel from the bomb, his first 

concern was the safety of his fellow Marines. 

When one of the Marines on his team started 

to run toward LCpl Palmer after the blast, LCpl 

Palmer shouted orders to his team to take 

cover rather than rushing out into the open 

and risk setting off another bomb or exposing 

themselves to small arms fire. LCpl Palmer’s 

toughness and concern for others didn’t stop 

there. His first words to his family after he was 

injured were, ‘‘[D]on’t worry about me. I don’t 

want you to feel sorry for me or anything. I did 

what I did serving my country.’’ 

He spent the next two years convalescing at 

military hospitals, all the while comforted by 

the tender devotion of his loving wife, Becky, 

at his side. Although Cpl Palmer is thousands 

of miles away from Afghanistan, his thoughts 

are still with his fellow Marines who are in 

harm’s way. ‘‘Keep praying for all the boys 

who are still over there,’’ he will tell you, 

‘‘there’s still a bunch of people over there risking their lives every day.’’ 

It has been said that the story of America’s 

quest for freedom is inscribed on our history in 

the blood of our patriots. Today, the blood 

shed by America’s patriots in defense of freedom is also inscribing the histories of nations 

like Afghanistan. Cpl Palmer’s service in the 

military of our great country bears testament 

to his belief in the fundamental truth that all 

men are created equal and are endowed by 

their Creator with the unalienable right to liberty. Cpl Palmer sacrificed a great deal attempting to secure for the Afghan people the 

blessings of freedom. We must never forget 

his contribution toward that honorable end. 

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States 

Congress, I stand here today to honor Cpl 

Daniel Palmer and all of the heroes serving 

our great nation around the world. My wife, 

Vicki, joins me in offering our profound thanks 

to Cpl Palmer and his family and our prayers 

for his speedy recovery. May God continue to 

bless him, his family and the United States 

Armed Forces.I66F 

IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF PLAST, THE UKRAINIAN SCOUTING ORGANIZATION 

HON. MARCY KAPTUR 

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

honor the 100th anniversary of Plast, the 

Ukrainian Scouting Organization. 

Plast was founded in 1911 by Dr. Oleksandr 

Tysovsky, and it is based on the principles of 

scouting started by Lord Baden Powell in 

Great Britain. 

As a consequence of the country’s absence 

of national independence through most of the 

20th Century, Plast was forced to go underground when the occupying Soviet Union declared the organization illegal and banned its 

activities. 

However, following World War II, when 

many Ukrainians emigrated to various countries of the Free World, including the United 

States, the plastuny (members of Plast) 

among the e ́migre ́s formed Plast organizations 

in the countries of their settlement. This included incorporating ‘‘Plast, Inc.’’ in 1950 in 

the state of Michigan. 

Additionally, after the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991, Plast was reconstituted in Ukraine with the help of plastuny 

from the United States and other Free World 

countries. 

Today, Plast is an international organization 

of Ukrainian youth which fosters personal development, leadership and teamwork, as well 

as a love of Ukrainian culture and history 

while also raising youth to be conscientious, 

responsible and valuable citizens of their communities at the local, national, and international level. The former President of 

Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, is an honorary 

plastun, and Liubomyr Cardinal Husar, a U.S. 

citizen and now Patriarch-emeritus of the 

Ukrainian Eastern Rite Catholic Church based 

in Ukraine, is one of many distinguished 

plastuns. 

Currently, Plast has 23 branches coast to 

coast in the United States, and Plast will be 

celebrating its Centennial with a Jamboree in 

Ukraine, August 10th to 24th, with the official 

opening of the Jamboree Celebration on August 19th in the city of L’viv. 

As such, we should recognize August 19, 

2012 as the Centennial Day of Plast, commend the Ukrainian Scouting Organization for 

its tremendous contributions, and celebrate 

the Centennial of Plast. 


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July 26, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1345 

TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST 

GENERATION 

HON. MARY BONO MACK OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to honor the brave men and women 

who fought and served in World War II. Their 

courage, selflessness and remarkable contributions to our country must never be forgotten. They fought not for fame or recognition, 

and too often made the ultimate sacrifice, but 

because it was simply their duty. 

When Tom Brokaw declared them the 

‘‘greatest generation any society has ever produced,’’ no one could have described them in 

more fitting terms. After suffering through the 

Great Depression as youths, they were summoned to war following the surprise attack on 

Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. They 

didn’t hesitate. They jumped at the chance to 

fight for their country in the heat of the South 

Pacific, the chill of Europe and other fronts 

around the globe. When they returned home, 

they humbly kept the horrors of war to themselves, not wanting to trouble their families 

with the terror of what they had faced. Women 

who had never held a job outside of the home 

before served as nurses, built tanks and 

planes, and those who stayed home immediately went to work to support the war effort. 

Truly, their unwavering patriotism is exemplary 

and serves as an inspiration to future generations. 

I am honored to pay tribute to this generation because I am the proud daughter of a 

World War II veteran who flew a B17 bomber 

in Europe during the war. My dad’s unwavering courage, unimaginable sacrifices and tireless work ethic is typical of his generation. Because of my dad and others like him, we live 

in freedom in the greatest country on Earth. 

As this generation ages, it’s up to us to keep 

their legacy strong and tell their story to generations to come. Together, we must ‘‘keep 

the Spirit of ’45 Alive.’’ I commend the residents of the Coachella Valley for their efforts 

to do just that. 

The Palm Springs Air Museum, where old 

bombers like my dad’s stand proudly on display, is hosting a ‘‘Spirit of ’45 Day’’ next 

month to honor those who fought in World 

War II. Events like these serve as a worthy 

salute to this brave generation before we are 

left with only their memory. The Palm Springs 

Air Museum is a community treasure and 

labor of love for those dedicated to preserving 

and sharing the history of our nation’s heroic 

aviators. It is well worth a visit for anyone who 

wants to learn more about the role our brave 

pilots and other service personnel played in 

many epic conflicts. I want to extend special 

thanks to the many volunteers and supporters 

who ensure the continued operation of this 

outstanding museum. 

In the early hours of June 6, 1944, General 

Dwight Eisenhower told his troops that the 

eyes of the world were upon them. Those 

words were powerful then, but still rings true 

today. Indeed, the eyes of the world will always be upon the Greatest Generation, and I 

hope you’ll join me in making every effort to 

preserve their remarkable legacy, a legacy 

that will never be diminished as long as the 

Republic they fought so heroically to preserve 

endures. 

HONORING DEAN WELDON 

SLEIGHT 

HON. ADRIAN SMITH OF NEBRASKA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to honor Weldon Sleight as he retires as 

Dean of the University of Nebraska College of 

Technical Agriculture (NCTA). 

Dean Sleight has led NCTA since 2006 and 

played a vital role in supporting the college 

legacy and our rural agriculture economy 

along the way. 

Under his watch NCTA constructed a new 

residence hall, expanded the Veterinary 

Teaching Hospital, and built a state-of-the-art 

education center. 

In addition, Dean Sleight has established innovative programs combining entrepreneurship and agriculture such as the ‘‘Combat 

Boots to Cowboy Boots’’ initiative, designed to 

assist military personnel, their families and 

veterans in becoming farmers and ranchers; 

and the ‘‘100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage’’ program which assists students, parents, employers, and agencies in creating successful businesses and ranch transfer plans. 

When Dean Sleight retires in December of 

this year, we wish him the best of luck and 

thank him for his contribution to agriculture, 

education and Nebraska. 

f 

DEBRINA WORKMAN 30 YEARS 

WITH CONGRESSMAN NICK 

RAHALL 

HON. NICK J. RAHALL II OF WEST VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, thirty years ago 

today, a young woman joined my Congressional Staff to help serve our fellow West Virginians in the midst of our State’s rich coalfields. She hailed from the community of Holden and still resides there near her parents’ 

home. 

Though she was very young, she had a 

burning passion to help people. And so she 

has, by the hundreds, nay thousands, over the 

decades working from her home base in my 

Logan District Office. For years, once a week, 

she did outreach work, bringing the constituent 

services of this Member of Congress to the 

good people of Mingo County. Working from 

the Mingo County seat of government in 

Williamson, she keeps me abreast of the important issues confronting the citizens of the 

Tug River Valley, the demarcation line of the 

famed Hatfield and McCoy Feud. 

To say she is a seasoned expert in agency 

process, procedure and practice is an understatement. She knows constituent casework 

inside and out. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, 

she knows the families of the coalfields, where 

they came from and where most of them are 

headed. She knows this because she cares, 

cares deeply that people are treated justly, 

and that justice is meted in a timely manner. 

She can scrap the varnish off truth faster and 

cleaner than anyone I know, whether you want 

her to or not. 

In the office she laughs with family members when things go right for them, and at 

home in the evening, she sheds tears for them 

when they are troubled. Indeed her passion 

still burns brightly, though now through these 

many years, it takes on the golden hue of seasoned compassion. She knows just the right 

thing to say to put people at ease. Not the art 

of politics, just working the Golden Rule, overtime. 

In these past thirty years, she has stuck 

with the people of southern West Virginia, 

through floods, blizzards and now a derecho. 

Her loyalty knows no bounds, even by Mother 

Nature’s standards. Those in West Virginia’s 

Third Congressional District and I are indeed 

fortunate to have Debrina Taylor Workman on 

our side because when the need arises, she 

can be a force of nature all by herself. 

Members of Congress are indeed blessed 

with godsends like Debrina to help us serve. 

While we don’t say it often enough, we are 

thankful for their many sacrifices on our and 

the good people we represent behalves. 

Please join me in thanking Debrina for thirty 

years of service to her country and its families. 

May the good Lord’s blessings continue to 

shine upon Debrina, her son, Jordan, and her 

many friends and family. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE GRAND MARSHALS FOR DELANO’S 38TH ANNUAL PHILIPPINE WEEKEND 

HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize the Grand Marshals for Delano’s 

38th Annual Philippine Weekend. This event 

takes place in my district each year to honor 

and celebrate the Filipino culture. This year’s 

honorees are Juanita Quiocho Villaruz, Suzanne Villaruz, and Arleen Villaruz-Gonzales, 

and they were selected for their dedication to 

service in their community. They are terrific 

examples of strong women that exhibit leadership, selflessness, and perseverance. 

Juanita immigrated to the United States in 

1958 from Rancho, Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She married Louie V. Villaruz, and 

had three children—Suzanne, Arleen, and 

Lounito. While supporting their young family, 

Juanita and Louie were active in the United 

Farm Workers of America’s efforts to change 

conditions and wages for farm laborers. In 

1970, Juanita found herself having to support 

three children on her own due to Louie’s sudden death. She received training and worked 

as a psychiatric technician at Porterville State 

Hospital. Juanita retired from the State of California in 1995. 

As a member of many different organizations, Juanita has stayed extremely active in 

the Filipino community. She was a charter 

member of the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Cultural and Educational Association and served 

as president in 1976–77. She is also a member of the Filipino Catholic Association, 

Legionarios del Trabajo, the Filipino Community of Delano, and the Sons of Santa, of 

which she is a past president. 

Juanita has always had a sense of service 

and participation in her community which she 

has undoubtedly passed down to her children. 

Suzanne Villaruz was born in Delano and 

graduated from Delano High School in 1977. 


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